Chiropractic can help your immune system function better!

Chiropractic can help your immune system function better!

How Does Chiropractic Help

As a Chiropractor I treat subluxations with my hands by adjusting the fixated joints. When Vertebral joints of the spine are not moving the way they were intended to they are considered subluxated. Subluxations cause an increase activity of the Sympathetic Nervous System(SNS), the FIGHT OR FLIGHT response. Ordinarily our body is able to maintain balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic portions of the autonomic nervous system. Subluxation causes “dysautonomia” which is an increase in the SNS activity, called Sympathicotonia.This neural dysfunction which is stressful to the body lowers tissue resistance, modifying specific and nonspecific immune responses.

The one major thing that is sacrificed by an increase in SNS activity is our Innate immune system. The SNS regulates all aspects of immune function in vivo, including proliferation, cytokine production, antibody production, and lymphocyte migration.”Madden, K., Chapter 5, “Catecholamines,Sympathetic Nerves, and Immunity,” in Psychoneuroimmunology, Ader, Felton andCohen, 2001, p. 198

Innate immunityrepresents the first line of defense against microbes. Activation of the SNS primarilyinhibits the activity of cells associated with the innate immune system, whileit either enhances or inhibits the activity of cells associated with theacquired/adaptive immune system.

In the Ogura Study they were able to show after one Chiropractic adjustment an Increased glucose metabolism was observed in the inferior prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulated cortex, and middle temporal gyrus, and decreased glucose metabolism was found in the cerebellar vermis and visual association cortex, in the treatment condition (P < .001). Comparisons of questionnaires indicated a lower stress level and better quality of life in the treatment condition. A significantly lower VAS was noted after CSM. Cervical muscle tone and salivary amylase were decreased after CSM.Conclusion The results of this study suggest that CSM affects regional cerebral glucose metabolism related to sympathetic relaxation and pain reduction.

Recent research suggests an effect of one typeof adjustment (HVLA with cavitation) may be to help control the systemic inflammatory response. Study showed this type of adjustment was associated with a short-term decreases in production of TNF-a (Tumor NecrosisFactor a) Subluxation may result in sustained increasedproduction of TNF-a, which is not the normal function of this cytokine (usuallyshort-term) Spinal adjustment therapy can exert a modulatory and/or stabilizing effect on the inflammatory response in vivo.”

In 1975, Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New York's Preventive Medicine Institute and professor in Environmental Health at New York University, began researching the most scientifically valid ways to estimate individual susceptibility to various chronic diseases. He has conducted a tremendous amount of research in this area that includes over 160 published reports in peer reviewed journals.

Pero was fascinated by the relationship cancer-inducing agents had on the endocrine system. Since the nervous system regulates hormone balance, he hypothesized that the nervous system had to also have a strong influence on one's susceptibility to cancer.

To support this argument he found a substantial amount of literature linking various kinds of spinal cord injuries and cancer. Pero found that these injuries led to a very high rate of lymphomas and lymphatic leukemias. This understanding led Pero to consider Chiropractic care as a means of reducing the risk of immune breakdown and disease.

Pero's team measured 107 individuals who had received long-term Chiropractic care. The chiropractic patients were shown to have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not received chiropractic care, and a 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer or serious diseases. Interestingly, Pero found no decline with the various age groups in the study demonstrating that the DNA repairing enzymes were just as present in long-term chiropractic senior groups as they were in the younger groups.

Pero concluded, 'Chiropractic may optimize whatever genetic abilities you have so that you can fully resist serious disease...I have never seen a group other than this show a 200% increase over normal patients.'

Subluxation can disrupt the body’s ability to keep this part of the inflammatory response short-term

Ordinarily, balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic portions of the autonomic nervous system keeps this in check

Correction of subluxations:

1.improves spinal motion

2.improves spinal alignment

3.leads to improvement in somatic afferentation, which:

4. enhances immune response by balancing thesympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system

Ways to strengthen your Immune System

Visit a doctor of chiropractic regularly. Regular chiropractic care can help reduce the effects of stress, which can boost immunity. In addition, research has shown a positive effect on immune response after chiropractic care. One study found an increase in white blood cell counts just fifteen minutes after chiropractic manipulation![vii] Your doctor of chiropractic can remove subluxations that interfere with your body’s natural ability to function at its best. In addition, your chiropractor may also offer additional nutritional information to help you maintain your immune system.

Eat foods with immunity-boosting power. Fruits and vegetables are the powerhouses for nutrients that can help keep your body functioning to fight sickness and disease. Some vitamins play a particularly large role in boosting your immune system, notably vitamins D and E. Studies have shown a link between vitamin D deficiency and the increased risk of infections and sickness. One study showed that participants who took a therapeutic dose of Vitamin D daily experienced a 42 percent decreased risk of influenza infection.[ii] If you can’t get your vitamin D from the sun, you can get it from fatty fish like salmon, canned tuna, fortified dairy, or eggs. Alternatively, you can take a supplement, such as Cod Liver Oil, to get your daily dose. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system. The best sources for vitamin E are almonds, sunflower seeds, leafy greens, and vegetable oils.

Get adequate sleep. Late nights can cause more than just sleepiness the next day; they can actually make you more susceptible to sickness and disease. While you sleep, your immune system produces proteins and antibodies that are needed to fight off infections; when you do not get enough sleep, a reduced number of these cells are produced, making you more prone to infection.[iii] Aim to sleep around eight hours a night to keep your immune system healthy.

Exercise regularly. Exercise pumps antibodies through your body faster; although this is a short-term effect, this surge may help the immune system detect and react to illness faster. Several studies have shown that those who exercise regularly experience fewer colds than those who do not; one such study found a 50-percent reduction in the number of colds in a group of elderly woman who walked five times a week.[iv]

Reduce stress. Research shows that chronic stress reduces the number of white blood cells produced in the body, making those under stress more prone to illness and infection.[v]Exercising and sleeping adequately can help decrease stress; in addition, socializing with friends can also help reduce stress and boost immunity. Researchers have found that those who have little social support experience weaker immunity.[vi]